Probation Department

ABOUT OUR PROBATION DEPARTMENT

ABOUT ADULT PROBATION-

The Meskwaki Probation Department is responsible for overseeing adults who are convicted of crimes, but who have been released to probation. They fulfill many roles for these individuals, including: ensuring compliance with release conditions, identifying treatment options, helping with job searches, and keeping track of their progress. Ultimately, they serve as supervisors and mentors for offenders who are trying to get back on their feet.

ABOUT JUVENILE PROBATION-

The Meskwaki Probation Department is responsible for supervising youth on their caseload and ensure compliance with the court's orders. Probation Officers conduct regular visits to the juvenile's home, school, work and other areas of the community in which the juvenile frequents. The PO also makes referrals to community resources for the youth and family.

Meet the Probation department

Excerpts from Title 13. Law and Order

Sec. 13-6602. PROBATION AND PAROLE

Policy and Purpose

(a) The purpose of the Probation and Parole Act is to establish a Tribal probation and parole department. Probation and parole can be desirable dispositions of appropriate criminal cases.

(b) The existence of a Tribal Probation and Parole Department is important to the Meskwaki community of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa because:

(1) Probation and parole strive to reduce recidivism by helping an offender learn to live productively in the community;

(2) Probation and parole programs seek to reform and rehabilitate an offender;

(3) Probation and parole provide a framework by which the Tribe can provide an offender with a positive and culturally appropriate rehabilitative means;

(4) An offender remains under the jurisdiction of the Court while engaging in the educational, therapeutic, cultural and community resources, including Wellness Court when appropriate, that are most likely to lead to successful rehabilitation;

(5) Protection of the Meskwaki community is provided when the Probation and Parole Department accepts custody and supervision and rehabilitation of juvenile and adult offenders within the jurisdiction of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa who are:

(a) placed on probation or released on parole by the Tribal Court; or

(b) placed on probation or released on parole by a court of another jurisdiction when there is an

executed Memorandum of Understanding and approval of the Tribal Council;

(6) Probation and parole maximize the liberty of the offender and at the same time, vindicate the authority of the law and effectively protect the public from further violations of the law.

(7) Probation and parole affirmatively promote the rehabilitation of the offender by permitting the offender to engage in normal community contacts, employment, and education;

(8) Probation and parole can be a tool to minimize the impact of the offender’s conviction on the offender’s dependents when the offender has minor children;

(9) Tribal probation and parole provide the Tribe and the offender with an opportunity to promote healing and a law abiding lifestyle for the offender through Tribal tradition and culture; and

(10) Creation of a Probation and Parole Department and codification of law establishes procedures and protocol for courts, prosecution, law enforcement, and offenders, and holds offenders accountable for their conduct while providing offenders with supervised and structured opportunities for personal improvement.

Sec. 13-6607. Powers and duties of the Department (see full code section in Title 13.

Sec. 13-6608. Training, qualifications, powers and duties of probation-parole officers (see full code section in Title 13.